The summer was certainly sunny, but the natural world around us suffered – everything was parched. Just as happened to the lawn at home, so too did my hair: it became dry and lifeless, the ends split, and the colour had faded.
How to restore vitality to one’s hair is surely a question on many women’s minds in autumn. In such cases, I turn to castor oil. Castor oil, also known as ricinus oil, is pressed from castor beans and is one of the most widely used traditional remedies in Ayurveda.
Castor oil hair mask
A castor oil mask works wonders on your hair. I apply a thick layer of the oil to my hair – especially the ends – and to my scalp, wrap my head in cling film, and leave the mask on for two or three hours, or even longer. It’s even better to leave the mask on overnight, if that doesn’t feel too uncomfortable.
Castor oil is thick and viscous, so before washing it out, you need to comb through your hair with a fine-toothed comb and then wash it with shampoo at least two or three times. Even after the first treatment, your hair will feel noticeably smoother and shinier.
After several oil treatments, I’ve noticed that new hair growing on my otherwise greying head is regaining its natural colour. I’ve read that applying oil to the scalp helps prevent greying, and until now I’d thought it was a myth – but now I reckon it might well be true.
Help with lice
In the same way, I’ve managed to get rid of head lice in my children’s hair. To get rid of parasites and nits, you need to coat the scalp and hair thickly with castor oil and leave the mask on for at least three hours. The procedure is repeated on three consecutive days, and both the oily hair and the hair washed clean afterwards are combed thoroughly with a lice comb. The head becomes lice-free and the hair beautiful, healthy and shiny.
Eyelashes, eyebrows and other benefits
Castor oil stimulates hair growth. Ever since I was a child, I’ve remembered the beauty tip that castor oil lengthens eyelashes and thickens eyebrows. Men who are worried about a receding hairline should apply castor oil to the problem areas every day.
- Ingrown hairs. Rub castor oil into the affected area in the evening before going to bed – by morning, the problem may have been resolved.
- Athlete’s foot. Castor oil has antifungal properties. Rub the oil all over the affected foot and leave it wrapped up overnight.
- Warts. Apply castor oil to the wart every day – it should gradually start to disappear within a few weeks.
Castor oil plant
The castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) is a perennial that grows up to 10 metres tall in its natural range from North-East Africa to West Asia; in Estonia, it can only be grown as an annual summer flower. With its red, decorative, finger-like leaves, the castor oil plant is a real eye-catcher in the garden, but it is important to bear in mind that all parts of the plant, especially the seeds, are highly toxic.
Castor oil in Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda, castor oil is the only oil that effectively expels toxins from the body. It has been used both internally and externally as a compress and is considered an effective remedy for many ailments, including gynaecological conditions.
Castor oil compresses should not be used during pregnancy, menstruation or when running a fever, nor in cases of inflammatory conditions where warming compresses are contraindicated.
I myself have repeatedly taken castor oil mixed with ginger tea – as part of the purgative phase of the Ayurvedic cleansing regimen, or panchakarma, the very same regimen we are undertaking at our home panchakarma retreat. Castor oil induces a mild diarrhoea and cleanses the large intestine.
Castor oil compress
When to apply a compress
- on the lower back and shoulders for tension headaches; on the hips, neck or large joints for chronic pain;
- on the abdomen for chronic constipation or irritable bowel syndrome;
- on the right side for liver problems and over the gallbladder for gallstones;
- to cleanse the lymphatic system;
- for painful periods and gynaecological problems such as endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, fibroids and cysts.
How often
- For chronic pain, menstrual disorders or to cleanse the lymphatic system, one and a half hours three times a week for at least six weeks.
- To support digestion or to cleanse the liver, kidneys and large intestine: one and a half hours twice a week for two to three weeks.
How to apply the compress
- Take a piece of soft fabric – flannel, several layers of muslin or a small towel – and place three tablespoons of warmed castor oil on it.
- Place the cloth on the affected area and cover with cling film. Place a towel and a hot water bottle on top.
- Find a pleasant, meditative activity to do whilst the compress is on – reading, knitting or watching television – and enjoy the luxury of taking time out.
Bear in mind that castor oil is very sticky – take precautions to ensure you don’t accidentally stain your sofa!
Castor oil is just one of Ayurveda’s simple home remedies. If you’d like to find out which cleansing or care routine is best suited to your body type, come along to an Ayurvedic health consultation in Tallinn or online.